The hottest, driest, and most scenic desert on Earth.

A historic trade hub teeming with gorgeous architecture, colorful goods, and vibrant designs.

One of the largest and oldest caravansaries in Persia.

One of the world's largest salt caves is filled with fragile salt sculptures, salt rivers, and huge salt megadomes.

Hydraulic systems in an ancient underground Iranian city.

Modern-day cave dwellers carve elaborate homes out of volcanic debris.

This vast, water-filled underground labyrinth can only be toured by boat.

The ancient necropolis houses the immense rock-cut tombs of four Persian kings.

This beautiful system of tunnels built into natural rock serves as a centuries old plumbing system.

The vertical-axis windmills of ancient Persia have been grinding flour for 1,000 years and counting.

Putrefaction plateaus in Iran, where the dead were sent for decontamination before going to their final resting place.

This ruined fortress was the stronghold for a persecuted medieval leader and his infamous Assassins.

A 1,500-year-old, 3-story subterranean city where ancient Persians took refuge in times of war.

A spectacular rainbow of stained glass makes the "Pink Mosque" one of the most beautiful in Iran.

The palace of the King of Kings, burned by Alexander the Great.

Iran's colorful terraces are a rare geological masterpiece.

Mirrors and glass shards cover every inch of this arrestingly beautiful mosque.

Tens of thousands of rocks make up what is thought to be a giant star calendar.

A Biblically notable site over the ruins of an ancient city that is now a protected World Heritage site.

This sixth-century synagogue was first reconstructed digitally, then in real life.

Ghost Town in the Demilitarized Zone of the Golan Heights.

Named for the biblical warrior, the largest castle in Israel actually dates to the Middle Ages.

This underground art installation recreates an ancient date honey storeroom.

Skyscraper powered by wind turbines attached between its towers.